Msida made clean calculated work of enigmatic Hibernians with a spirited display to move into second place in the standings, following Sliema's defeat.

After a goalless first half, they won handsomely with three second half goals from their three foreigners.

Hibernians' progress of late, after a win against Valletta and a draw with Marsaxlokk, was abruptly halted yesterday as they gave a below par performance in this important match to fight off the Relegation Pool. This defeat leaves them in dire need of a win in the last match of this second round, should Floriana win today against Pieta.

Msida were without Tyrone Farrugia but gave a start to their new midweek signing, Shaun Bajada, on loan from Marsaxlokk. Still, they showed more attacking intent. On several occasions, their striker Babatunde left the Hibernians defenders chasing shadows and went closest to scoring on the quarter hour when he clipped the crossbar on Nwoko's pass. Earlier, Msida were also denied by the woodwork when Bajada thumped his shot against the upright.

Otherwise there were few scoring opportunities in a flowing first half, but lacking genuine quality football. Hibernians were only restricted to rare breakaways by Scerri and Chukunyere but they were erratic in their finishing. They tried to remedy matters by drafting in their new recruit Rocha Da Silva for Agius at the start of the second half.

But things failed to work out for the Paolites who were hit by two goals in quick succession within as many minutes, just before the hour. First Daniel Nwoke surprised keeper Muscat with a low drive after Mifsud had served him with a short indirect free-kick and then Oussani Zongo progressed inside the Hibernians area and after beating the challenge of a defender, beat the grounded Muscat.

Hibernians failed to lift the gloom as Cohen contrived to miss a penalty, on 65 minutes, shooting wide from the spot, after the Paolites were awarded a debatable penalty when Scerri was floored by Sciriha inside the area, amidst harsh protests from the Msida players.

Tempers flared and skirmishes ensued as referee Sant brandished no less than five yellow cards in this ill-tempered second half.

But the Saints still found time to add a third goal, adding to Hibernians' misery. Ten minutes from the end, Ibrahim Babatunde tucked away a penalty after he had been fouled by Hibernians' defender Xuereb inside the area.

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Msida SJ: O. Borg, P. Sciriha, S. Grima, S. Vella, J. Mifsud, D. Cachia (A. Farrugia), S. Bajada (A. Spiteri), P. Fenech, O. Zongo, I. Babatunde (R. Bajada), D. Nwoke

Hibernians: M. Muscat, A. Pulis, A. Xuereb, J. Caruana, K. Cassar (M. Bartolo), E. Agius (R. Da Silva), A. Cohen, T. Scerri, P. Doffo, C. Failla (J. Vella), N. Chukunyere

Referee: A.M. Sant Asst.refs: I. Spiteri, J. Rapa 4th official: M. Borg

Scorers: D. Nwoke, O. Zongo, I. Babatunde (pen)

Yellow cards: I. Babatunde, J. Caruana, P. Sciriha, S. Bajada, A. Pulis, S. Vella, A. Spiteri

Player of the match: Ibrahim Babatunde (Msida SJ)

TMI top three: 1. I. Babatunde 2. S. Bajada 3. P. Sciriha